Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Stay Safe This St. Patricks Day

Each time this campaign comes around, I jump at the chance to participate and write a post. I have shared this campaign 3 previous times and will continue for as long as I am permitted. It is extremely important to me to let my friends and family know that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. I don’t think they realize that even a slight buzz still dulls your senses and makes your reaction time slower. When you get that “buzzy” feeling, it should make sense to you that you are disoriented and driving ISN’T SAFE! That is common sense. But you would be surprised at the amount of people that still get behind the wheel and the amount of people that experience accidents when driving with a buzz. You DO NOT need to be full on drunk, only buzzed to be considered intoxicated. Period.

This Saturday, March 12, many folks will be participating in annual St. Patrick’s Day events and then again on the 17th. This means a lot of people will be drinking it up with green beer and Irish Cream drinks, etc. This also means the roads will be less safe. So PLEASE, PLEASE be careful out there.

If you are going to be drinking, use some common sense and follow these tips:

Don’t drive if you are drinking. Even if it is “just a buzz”.
Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.
Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party. Or better yet, try to pre-arrange a taxi or pick-up for a set time to be picked up.
Keep an eye on your friends and don’t let them drive buzzed or drunk.
If you are the party host, take everyone’s keys and DON’T let them leave without a sober ride.

I have some statistics for you regarding Buzzed driving:

On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that in 2009, 1,119 occupants of other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, so pay attention to others on the road. And remember, you don’t have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. Even a few drinks can impair driving…and a buzzed driving crash has the same consequences as a drunk driving crash.

Buzzed Driving on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Don’t rely on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

Don’t let anymore lives be taken due to this senseless act. Common sense could save your life!